FBK x SHANG KUAN AMBUSH STAR CHASING THE ROOSTER SLIM FIT THOROUGH TŌNGBÈI TEE
FBK x SHANG KUAN AMBUSH STAR CHASING THE ROOSTER THOROUGH TEE
2024 ARTIST COLLABORATIVE TEE
AMBUSH STAR - CHASING THE ROOSTER
When I was a child, I practiced martial arts and learned a form called "Ambush Fist." As I grew older and pursued a career in design, I gained experience in printing and apparel. Earlier this year, I randomly sketched a few "star people," and mid-year, I received an exciting collaboration invitation from Fly by Knight. Inspired by martial arts, I connected these experiences to create the "Ambush Star - Chasing the Rooster" T-Shirt.
I hope this collaboration will introduce more people to martial arts, Fly by Knight, and my work. Thank you, everyone!
Instagram ：@ shang.kuan
The Story Behind "Ambush Star - Chasing the Rooster"
Traditional martial arts are not a popular choice in modern life. Beyond enthusiasts, another group often connects with traditional martial arts: those who have recovered from a serious illness. As a child, I happened to meet both criteria and thus earned my "Fate Certification," which led me to practice martial arts for a few years. I bid farewell to martial arts around the second year of middle school.
During that time, one of the most memorable routines was "Ambush Fist. 埋伏拳 " Not only was the name striking, but the sequence of 48 moves was undeniably impressive! Being able to practice this routine was considered a milestone in martial arts training. To help us memorize the moves, our teacher printed all the move names on the back of a T-shirt. His idea was that if anyone forgot, they could glance at the person in front of them for a reminder. Although well-intentioned, we quickly found that directly observing the movements was far more effective. That summer, we diligently practiced "Ambush Fist," often looking at each other's backs to find answers.
Time flew by, and after graduating from university, I began working in the art and design field. The 48 moves of my childhood gradually faded into the "48 Adobe skills" of adulthood. My work revolved around designing for music bands, including albums, posters, and merchandise. Martial arts had long disappeared from my life, until one day, I unexpectedly ran into my old martial arts teacher. Slowly but surely, elements of martial arts began to creep back into my life, now with two additional words: Fly by Knight.
One day, my teacher unexpectedly asked if I wanted to collaborate with Fly by Knight by having my designs printed on clothing. The only requirement was that the design had to relate to martial arts. This prompted me to reflect on my martial arts experiences for inspiration. Miraculously, the printed 48 moves on the back of those T-shirts from years ago sparked an idea. In the "Ambush Fist" routine, there is a footwork called Xing Bu 行步 (Walking Step). I remember the teacher describing it as walking like a rooster—body steady without bobbing, heels lifted to kick up dust. It’s a footwork used to evade opponents.
The imagery of Xing Bu, combined with the name Fly by Knight, gave me an instinctive sense of "shooting stars chasing the moon." From this, I visualized "a meteor chasing a rooster" and turned it into an illustration. As for the layout, it only made sense to print it on the back of the shirt, echoing the whimsical idea of my teacher from all those years ago!
Reintegrating martial arts into my life has shown me that my "Fate Certification" still holds. Though the form has changed, it has expanded with new perspectives and inspirations gained from my life experiences. This collaboration focuses on just one move—it’s simple and easy to remember! I hope it helps create new "Fate Certifications" for others and builds a bridge between martial arts and more people.
Fly By Knight - TŌNGBÈI T-Shirt
Inspired by ancient martial arts movements, the "TŌNGBÈI T-shirt" is designed with the most comfortable body-centric tailoring. We reject the uniform factory assembly line patterns, believing that the arms should be seamlessly connected to the body.
While T-shirts worldwide compromise on cost by adopting uncomfortable and unattractive rectangular cuts with two sleeve pieces, we firmly say no.
Introducing the world's first T-shirt with a revolutionary TŌNGBÈI cut, rethinking the concept of "clothing as an extension of the body." This innovative design transforms clothing from a dull fabric assembly into an extension of the body's texture and skeletal structure.
Life can be refined; clothing should never be a compromise.
Fabric Selection: Peruvian Pima Cotton
Premium Sheen
Featuring a natural, subtle sheen, it elevates the garment with a refined, premium texture and sophisticated aesthetic.Ultimate Softness
Boasting a silk-like touch, paired with a seamless design, it offers a smooth and luxurious wearing experience.High Elasticity
Adapts effortlessly to body movement, perfectly suited for various physical activities and everyday needs.Hypoallergenic and Anti-Pilling
Naturally hypoallergenic, ideal for sensitive skin. Its durability ensures the fabric remains fresh and pill-free over time.Strength and Longevity
The long fiber structure enhances resilience and abrasion resistance, extending the garment’s lifespan, making it a reliable companion for martial arts and everyday moments.
This collaboration with Peruvian Pima Cotton introduces a new series of garments, aiming to seamlessly merge high-quality fabrics with cultural design.
Renowned for its exceptional softness, natural sheen, and durability, Peruvian Pima Cotton is one of the finest cottons in the world. Its long fibers provide a silk-like texture and excellent anti-pilling properties, perfectly aligning with Fly by Knight's dedication to detail, resulting in apparel that combines functionality with beauty.
The collaborative series not only delivers outstanding comfort and breathability but also reflects a commitment to sustainability. The hand-picked cotton and eco-friendly processing methods ensure a harmonious balance of comfort, quality, and environmental mindfulness. This is a celebration of modern living, where meticulous craftsmanship transforms everyday wear into an artful expression of life.
Tōngbèi Tailoring
Worldwide, T-shirts typically follow a standard industrial cut: a rectangular piece of fabric for the body and short sleeves for the arms. This style emerged from assembly line production during the Industrial Revolution and does not truly fit the human body. However, we refuse to compromise. Inspired by the "tōngbèi" concept in martial arts, we’ve rediscovered the ideal T-shirt cut, where the arms are like fists connected through the back, forming a unified whole.
“Clothing is an extension of the body, not a limitation.”
Size and Fit
Each of our sizes is individually patterned and not simply scaled proportionally.
Recommended size selection:
- 155-175 cm, medium build: Crane (M)
- 170-180 cm, tall build: Dragon (L)
- 175-185 cm, muscular build: Tiger (XL)
- 185-190 cm, strong build: Bear (XXL)
"Clothing should never be a limitation to the body but an extension of it."
"Born for Martial Arts in Every Move, Craft Your Martial Life."
Fly by Knight Creative, a martial arts cultural and creative brand, conquered Europe and America and was classified as a "Cultural Renaissance Movement" during its fundraising phase in the United States due to its cultural nature.
We ingeniously blend tradition with modern fashion design, dedicating ourselves to infusing the spirit of martial arts into contemporary life. Martial arts are not merely about physical exercises; they are also enduring life rituals, akin to signals that recalibrate your chaotic thoughts. It's an incremental elevation from within to without, a departure from the vexations of daily life, and a reclaiming of mastery over life.
Through the exploration of martial arts culture, Fly by Knight Creative seeks bodily aesthetics, offering the most refined and tangible martial arts attire, Kung Fu pants, jackets, denim, cotton-linen, qipao-style tops, and through-back tees. Expertly handcrafted, our selection enables you to freely express your personality and preferences.
"We aren't pursuing retro, but rather, recovering authenticity."
The founder, Daniel Huang, is a martial artist, kung fu instructor, and also the founder of Fly by Knight Courtyard Hotel, where he used to teach his guests kung fu before COVID.
Daniel found his passion for martial arts when he was a teen. Yet, it was not until he met the grandmaster, Adam Hsu, did he have a huge breakthrough. Hsu not only taught him Long Fist & Baji Quan, but also the philosophy and history of kung fu, including what a real kung fu attire looks like. It was where the journey started.
The purpose of this project is more than reviving a unique kung fu attire. What we really want to do is to promote Chinese martial arts, and how it benefits our body. Join us now and recover your sensitivity through kung fu training!
